Deep in central Australia's western desert, just below the northern Territory border, a small brick shack is making history.
Standing tall in the Pukatja community, Ernabella Arts is the country's oldest continuous arts centre.
Almost 75 years since its establishment, Ernabella has made the journey to Alice Springs to take part in the 32nd Desert Mob fair as it continues to bring together arts centres across central Australia.
"The longevity and sustainability of the art centre model is something that we're really celebrating here," curator Hetti Perkins told AAP.
This is Ms Perkins' second year as curator after the show was handed over to an entirely Aboriginal-led team in 2022.
Desart CEO Philip Watkins said the new leadership had made a significant effect on how the show was run.
"This is a big change to what it's traditionally been," he told AAP.
"We are able to now express this in ways that we want through our own agency."
The annual Indigenous art fair features artworks from across the central Australian desert belt.
A smorgasbord of landscapes and scenes are depicted in the works from 35 Aboriginal arts centres - from mountain ranges to arid deserts and red-dirt football fields.
Hundreds of people have turned out to buy works this year, with most of the money going directly to the arts centres.
Mr Watkins said the centres were the focal point of many remote communities.
"Art centres are places for connection," he said.
"We have people from overseas visiting here and they will take these stories back with them."
The floodgates to the Desert Mob marketplace opened on Saturday morning, with hundreds of travellers and locals eager to snap up art directly from the source.
Artists explained their pieces directly to buyers, and many walked away with multiple canvases and sculptures stuffed into art centre-designed tote bags.
"What better way of expressing culture than through the artist's voice?," Ms Perkins said.
"That's the voice we need to listen to here."
Desert Mob continues at Araluen Arts Centre, in Alice Springs, until October 22.
